Abstract:

Method and apparatus for visibly demonstrating a relationship between
toolface orientation and quill position by: (1) receiving electronic data
on an on-going basis, wherein the electronic data includes quill position
data and at least one of gravity-based toolface orientation data and
magnetic-based toolface orientation data; and (2) displaying the
electronic data on a user-viewable display in a historical format
depicting data resulting from a most recent measurement and a plurality
of immediately prior measurements.

Claims:

1. A method of visibly demonstrating a relationship between toolface
orientation and quill position, such method comprising:operating a
drilling apparatus comprising a bit with a steerable motor with toolface
and a top drive;steering the steerable motor and bit with the top
drive;receiving electronic data on a recurring basis, wherein the
electronic data includes quill position data and at least one of
gravity-based toolface orientation data and magnetic-based toolface
orientation data; anddisplaying the electronic data on a user-viewable
display in a historical format depicting data resulting from a most
recent measurement and a plurality of immediately prior measurements.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic data also comprises
measurement-while-drilling (MWD) azimuth data relating to the azimuth
orientation of the drill string adjacent the bit.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the electronic data further comprises
MWD inclination data relating to the inclination of the drill string
adjacent the bit.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the quill position data may relate the
orientation of the quill, top drive, Kelly, and/or other rotary drive
apparatus to the toolface.

6. The method of claim 1, which further comprises associating the
electronic data with time indicia based on specific times at which
measurements yielding the electronic data were performed.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the electronic data
comprises:displaying the most current data textually; anddisplaying the
older data graphically.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein displaying the older data graphically
includes graphically displaying the data as a target-shaped
representation.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein displaying the older data graphically
includes displaying time-dependent or time-specific icons, each being
user-accessible to temporarily display data associated with that time.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the icons each comprise at least one of
a number, text, color, or other indication of age relative to other
icons.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the icons are arranged on the display
by time, with the relatively newer being disposed relatively closer to
the target edge and the relatively older being disposed relatively closer
to the dial center.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the icons depict the change in time
from (1) the measurement being recorded by a corresponding sensor device
on at least one of a bottom hole assembly and the top drive to (2) the
current computer system time.

13. An apparatus adapted for human control during a drilling operation to
monitor the relationship between toolface orientation and quill position,
the apparatus comprising:a drilling apparatus comprising a bit with a
steerable motor having a toolface and a top drive adapted to steer the
bit during the drilling operation;receiving apparatus adapted to recite
electronic data on a recurring basis, wherein the electronic data
includes quill position data and at least one of gravity-based toolface
orientation data and magnetic-based toolface orientation data; anda
display apparatus adapted to display the electronic data on a
user-viewable display in a historical format depicting data resulting
from a recent measurement and a plurality of immediately prior
measurements.

14. An apparatus for drilling, comprising:a drilling apparatus comprising
a bottom hole assembly and a top drive, the bottom hole assembly
comprising a bit with a steerable motor having a toolface and the top
drive being configured to steer the bottom hole assembly; anda
human-machine interface adapted to permit a human operator to monitor the
relationship between toolface orientation and quill position of the
drilling apparatus during a drilling operation, wherein the interface is
in communication with the drilling apparatus and comprises:a graphical
reference depicting a historical format for recent measurements and a
plurality of immediately prior measurements;a set of first informational
icons representing quill position data in a historical format, the first
information icons overlapping the graphical reference; anda set of second
informational icons representing at least one of gravity-based toolface
orientation data and magnetic-based toolface orientation data in a
historical format, the second information icons overlapping the graphical
reference.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the graphical reference is a
target-shaped time representation.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the sets of first and second
informational icons each comprise time indicia based on specific times at
which measurements yielding the electronic data were performed.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, including the relatively more current data
being displayed textually and the relatively less current data being
displayed on the graphical reference.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the icons each comprise at least one
of a number, text, color, or other indication of age relative to other
icons.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the icons are arranged by time, the
relatively newer being closer to the target edge and the relatively older
being closer the target center.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the icons depict the difference in
time between the time a measurement was recorded by a corresponding
sensor device and the current computer system time.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, including a data legend identifying the
data represented by the first and second information icons.

23. The apparatus of claim 14, including the inclination and the azimuth
of the steerable motor and bit.

24. The apparatus of claim 14, comprising the depth of the bottom hole
assembly.

25. The interface of claim 14, wherein the graphical display comprises a
target shape formed of a plurality of nested rings, and the current
toolface orientation is displayed at the center of the target shape.

26. An apparatus for drilling, comprising:a drilling apparatus comprising
a bottom hole assembly and a top drive, the bottom hole assembly
comprising a bit with a steerable motor having a toolface, and the top
drive being configured to steer the bottom hole assembly; anda
human-machine interface adapted to monitor the relationship between
toolface orientation and quill position of the drilling apparatus during
a drilling operation, the interface being in communication with the
drilling apparatus and the interface comprising:a target-like graphical
reference comprising a plurality of nested rings depicting a historical
format for recent measurements and a plurality of immediately prior
measurements, the nested rings having levels representing time or
measurement increments;data indicating the most recent toolface
orientation represented in a center portion of the target-like graphical
reference;a plurality of quill position data icons arranged in a
historical format on the target-like graphical reference, each of the
plurality of quill position data icons being disposed at a different
level in the nested rings with the relatively more recent quill position
data icons being disposed closer to the outer edge of the target-like
graphical reference and the relatively less recent quill position data
icons being disposed closer to the center of the target-like graphical
reference;a plurality of toolface orientation data icons arranged in a
historical format on the target-like graphical reference, each of the
plurality of toolface orientation data icons being disposed at a
different level in the nested rings, the relatively more recent toolface
orientation data icons being disposed closer to the outer edge of the
target-like graphical reference and the relatively less recent toolface
orientation data icons being disposed closer to the center of the
target-like graphical reference.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the data icons include a value
indicating the time passed since the measurement represented by the data
icon was obtained.

28. A computer readable medium accessible by a processor to graphically
display the relationship between a toolface orientation and a quill
position of a drilling apparatus, the computer readable medium
comprising:a memory component having executable instructions stored
thereon, the instructions comprising:instructions for receiving
electronic data on a recurring basis received from a drilling apparatus
that comprises a top drive having a quill and a bottom hole assembly
having a tool face, wherein the electronic data includes quill position
data and at least one of gravity-based toolface orientation data and
magnetic-based toolface orientation data; andinstructions for graphically
displaying a portion of the electronic data on a user-viewable display in
a historical format depicting data resulting from a recent measurement
and a plurality of immediately prior measurements.

29. The computer readable medium of claim 28, wherein displaying the older
data graphically includes graphically displaying the data as a
target-shaped representation.

30. The computer readable medium of claim 28, wherein displaying the older
data graphically includes displaying time-dependent or time-specific
icons, each being user-accessible to temporarily display data associated
with that time.

31. The computer readable medium of claim 30, wherein the icons comprise
at least one of a number, text, color, or other indication of age
relative to other icons.

32. The computer readable medium of claim 30, wherein the icons are
arranged on the display by time, with relatively newer being disposed
relatively closer to the target edge and relatively older being disposed
relatively closer to the dial center.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
No. 61/016,093, filed Dec. 21, 2007, now pending, the entire contents of
which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by express reference
thereto.

BACKGROUND

[0002]Underground drilling involves drilling a bore through a formation
deep in the Earth by connecting a drill bit to a drill string. During
rotary drilling, the drill bit is rotated by a top drive or other rotary
drive means at the surface, where a quill and/or other mechanical means
connects and transfers torque between the rotary drive means and the
drill string. During drilling, the drill bit is rotated by a drilling
motor mounted in the drill string proximate the drill bit, and the drill
string may or may not also be rotated by the rotary drive means.

[0003]Drilling operations can be conducted on a vertical, horizontal, or
directional basis. Vertical drilling refers to drilling in which the
trajectory of the drill string is inclined at less than about 10°
relative to vertical. Horizontal drilling refers to drilling in which the
drill string trajectory is inclined about 90° from vertical.
Directional drilling refers to drilling in which the trajectory of the
drill string is being deliberately controlled to maintain the wellbore on
the planned course. Correction runs generally refer to wells that have
deviated unintentionally and must be steered or directionally drilled
back to the planned course.

[0004]Various systems and techniques can be used to perform vertical,
directional, and horizontal drilling. For example, steerable systems use
a drilling motor with a bent housing incorporated into the bottom-hole
assembly (BHA) of the drill string. A steerable system can be operated in
a sliding mode in which the drill string is not rotated and the drill bit
is rotated exclusively by the drilling motor. The bent housing steers the
drill bit in the desired direction as the drill string slides through the
bore, thereby effectuating directional drilling. Alternatively, the
steerable system can be operated in a rotating mode in which the drill
string is rotated while the drilling motor is running.

[0005]Rotary steerable tools can also be used to perform directional
drilling. One particular type of rotary steerable tool can include pads
or arms located on the drill string adjacent the drill bit and extending
or retracting at some fixed orientation during some or all revolutions of
the drill string. Contact the between the arms and the surface of the
wellbore exerts a lateral force on the drill string adjacent the drill
bit, which pushes or points the drill bit in the desired direction of
drilling.

[0006]Directional drilling can also be accomplished using rotary steerable
motors which include a drilling motor that forms part of the BHA, as well
as some type of steering means, such as the extendable and retractable
arms discussed above. In contrast to steerable systems, rotary steerable
motors permit directional drilling to be conducted while the drill string
is rotating. As the drill string rotates, frictional forces are reduced
and more bit weight is typically available for drilling. Hence, a rotary
steerable motor can usually achieve a higher rate of penetration during
directional drilling relative to a steerable system, since more of the
combined torque and power of the drill string rotation and the downhole
motor are available to be applied to the bit, because of the friction
reduction in the wellbore induced by the constant rotation.

[0007]Directional drilling requires real-time knowledge of the angular
orientation of a fixed reference point on the circumference of the drill
string in relation to a reference point on the wellbore. The wellbore
reference point is typically magnetic north in a vertical well, or the
high side of the bore in an inclined well. This orientation of the
drillstring reference point relative to the fixed reference point is
typically referred to as toolface. For example, drilling with a steerable
motor requires knowledge of the toolface so that the pads can be extended
and retracted when the drill string is in a particular angular position,
so as to urge the drill bit in the desired direction.

[0008]When based on a reference point corresponding to magnetic north,
toolface is commonly referred to as magnetic toolface (MTF). When based
on a reference point corresponding to the high side of the bore, toolface
is commonly referred to as gravity tool face (GTF). GTF is usually
determined based on measurements of the transverse components of the
local gravitational field, i.e., the components of the local
gravitational field perpendicular to the axis of the drill string, which
are typically acquired using an accelerometer and/or other sensing device
included with the BHA. MTF is usually determined based on measurements of
the transverse components of the Earth's local magnetic field, which are
typically acquired using a magnetometer and/or other sensing device
included with the BHA.

[0009]Obtaining, monitoring, and adjusting the drilling direction
conventionally requires that the human operator must manually scribe a
line or somehow otherwise mark the drill string at the surface to monitor
its orientation relative to the downhole tool orientation. That is,
although the GTF or MTF can be determined at certain time intervals, the
top drive or rotary table orientation is not known automatically.
Consequently, the relationship between toolface and the quill position
can only be estimated by the human operator. It is known that this
relationship is substantially affected by reactive torque acting on the
drill string and bit. Consequently, there has been a long-felt need to
more accurately gauge the relationship between toolface and quill
position so that, for example, directional drilling can be more accurate
and efficient.

SUMMARY

[0010]The invention encompasses a method of visibly demonstrating a
relationship between toolface orientation and quill position by operating
a drilling apparatus including a bit with a toolface and a top drive,
steering the bit with the top drive, receiving electronic data on a
recurring basis, wherein the electronic data includes quill position data
and at least one of gravity-based toolface orientation data and
magnetic-based toolface orientation data and displaying the electronic
data on a user-viewable display in a historical format depicting data
resulting from a most recent measurement and a plurality of immediately
prior measurements.

[0011]In one embodiment, the electronic data also includes azimuth data
relating to the azimuth orientation of the drill string adjacent the bit.
In another embodiment, the electronic data further includes inclination
data relating to the inclination of the drill string adjacent the bit. In
yet another embodiment, the quill position data may relate the
orientation of the quill, top drive, Kelly, and/or other rotary drive
apparatus to the toolface. In a further embodiment, the receiving
electronic data includes receiving the electronic data from a downhole
sensor/measurement apparatus. In another embodiment, the method includes
associating the electronic data with time indicia based on specific times
at which measurements yielding the electronic data were performed.

[0012]In one embodiment, displaying the electronic data includes
displaying the most current data textually, and displaying the older data
graphically. In a preferred embodiment, the displaying of the older data
graphically includes graphically displaying the data as a target-shaped
representation. In another preferred embodiment, the displaying of the
older data graphically includes displaying time-dependent or
time-specific icons, each being user-accessible to temporarily display
data associated with that time. In a more preferred embodiment, the icons
each include at least one of a number, text, color, or other indication
of age relative to other icons. In another more preferred embodiment, the
icons are arranged on the display by time, with the relatively newer
being disposed relatively closer to the target edge and the relatively
older being disposed relatively closer to the dial center. In yet a
further more preferred embodiment, the icons depict the change in time
from (1) the measurement being recorded by a corresponding sensor device
on at least one of the bottom hole assembly and the top drive to (2) the
current computer system time.

[0013]The invention also includes an apparatus adapted for human control
during a drilling operation to monitor the relationship between toolface
orientation and quill position, the apparatus including a drilling
apparatus including a steerable motor with a toolface and a top drive
adapted to steer the bit during the drilling operation, receiving
apparatus adapted to recite electronic data on a recurring basis, wherein
the electronic data includes quill position data and at least one of
gravity-based toolface orientation data and magnetic-based toolface
orientation data, and a display apparatus adapted to display the
electronic data on a user-viewable display in a historical format
depicting data resulting from a recent measurement and a plurality of
immediately prior measurements.

[0014]The invention also encompasses an apparatus for drilling that
includes a drilling apparatus including a bottom hole assembly and a top
drive, the bottom hole assembly including a bit and steerable motor with
a toolface and the top drive being configured to steer the bottom hole
assembly, and a human-machine interface adapted to permit a human
operator to monitor the relationship between toolface orientation and
quill position of the drilling apparatus during a drilling operation,
wherein the interface is in communication with the drilling apparatus and
includes a graphical reference depicting a historical format for recent
measurements and a plurality of immediately prior measurements, a set of
first informational icons representing quill position data in a
historical format, the first information icons overlapping the graphical
reference, and a set of second informational icons representing at least
one of gravity-based toolface orientation data and magnetic-based
toolface orientation data in a historical format, the second information
icons overlapping the graphical reference.

[0015]In one embodiment, the graphical reference is a target-shaped time
representation. In another embodiment, the sets of first and second
informational icons each include time indicia based on specific times at
which measurements yielding the electronic data were performed. In yet
another embodiment, the apparatus includes the relatively more current
data being displayed textually and the relatively less current data being
displayed on the graphical reference. In a preferred embodiment, the
immediately prior data includes time-dependent or time-specific icons. In
another preferred embodiment, the icons each include at least one of a
number, text, color, or other indication of age relative to other icons.
In yet another preferred embodiment, the icons are arranged by time, the
relatively newer being closer to the target edge and the relatively older
being closer the target center. In another embodiment, the icons depict
the difference in time between the time a measurement was recorded by a
corresponding sensor device and the current computer system time.

[0016]In one embodiment, the display of the apparatus includes a data
legend identifying the data represented by the first and second
information icons. In another embodiment, this includes the inclination
and the azimuth of the steerable motor. In yet another embodiment, the
apparatus includes the depth of the bottom hole assembly. In a further
embodiment, the graphical display includes a target shape formed of a
plurality of nested rings, and the current toolface orientation is
displayed at the center of the target shape. In another embodiment, the
graphical display includes a target shape formed of a plurality of nested
rings, and the current toolface orientation is displayed at the center of
the target shape.

[0017]The invention also encompasses an apparatus for drilling including a
drilling apparatus including a bottom hole assembly and a top drive, the
bottom hole assembly including a bit and a steerable motor with a
toolface, and the top drive being configured to steer the bottom hole
assembly, and a human-machine interface adapted to monitor the
relationship between toolface orientation and quill position of the
drilling apparatus during a drilling operation, the interface being in
communication with the drilling apparatus and the interface including a
target-like graphical reference including a plurality of nested rings
depicting a historical format for recent measurements and a plurality of
immediately prior measurements, the nested rings having levels
representing time or measurement increments, data indicating the most
recent toolface orientation represented in a center portion of the
target-like graphical reference, a plurality of quill position data icons
arranged in a historical format on the target-like graphical reference,
each of the plurality of quill position data icons being disposed at a
different level in the nested rings with the relatively more recent quill
position data icons being disposed closer to the outer edge of the
target-like graphical reference and the relatively less recent quill
position data icons being disposed closer to the center of the
target-like graphical reference, a plurality of toolface orientation data
icons arranged in a historical format on the target-like graphical
reference, each of the plurality of toolface orientation data icons being
disposed at a different level in the nested rings, the relatively more
recent toolface orientation data icons being disposed closer to the outer
edge of the target-like graphical reference and the relatively less
recent toolface orientation data icons being disposed closer to the
center of the target-like graphical reference. In one embodiment, the
data icons include a value indicating the time passed since the
measurement represented by the data icon was obtained.

[0018]The invention also encompasses a computer readable medium accessible
by a processor to graphically display the relationship between a toolface
orientation and a quill position of a drilling apparatus, the computer
readable medium including a memory component having executable
instructions stored thereon, the instructions including instructions for
receiving electronic data on a recurring basis received from a drilling
apparatus that includes a top drive having a quill and a bottom hole
assembly having a tool face, wherein the electronic data includes quill
position data and at least one of gravity-based toolface orientation data
and magnetic-based toolface orientation data, and instructions for
graphically displaying a portion of the electronic data on a
user-viewable display in a historical format depicting data resulting
from a recent measurement and a plurality of immediately prior
measurements.

[0019]In one embodiment, displaying the older data graphically includes
graphically displaying the data as a target-shaped representation. In
another embodiment, displaying the older data graphically includes
displaying time-dependent or time-specific icons, each being
user-accessible to temporarily display data associated with that time. In
a preferred embodiment, the icons include at least one of a number, text,
color, or other indication of age relative to other icons. In another
preferred embodiment, the icons are arranged on the display by time, with
relatively newer being disposed relatively closer to the target edge and
relatively older being disposed relatively closer to the dial center.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]The present disclosure is best understood from the following
detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is
emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the
industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the
dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or
reduced for clarity of discussion.

[0021]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a display according to one or more
aspects of the present disclosure.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a magnified view of a portion of the display shown in FIG.
1.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system including a display and a
cooperating directional driller and computer according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024]It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many
different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features
of various embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangements
are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of
course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition,
the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in
the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity
and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the
various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

[0025]As used in the present disclosure, the term "quill position" may
refer to the static rotational orientation of the quill relative to the
rotary drive and/or some other predetermined reference. "Quill position"
may alternatively or additionally refer to the dynamic rotational
orientation of the quill, such as where the quill is oscillating in
clockwise and counterclockwise directions about a neutral orientation
that is substantially midway between the maximum clockwise rotation and
the maximum counterclockwise rotation, in which case the "quill position"
may refer to the relation between the neutral orientation or oscillation
midpoint and some other predetermined reference. Moreover, the "quill
position" may herein refer to the rotational orientation of a rotary
drive element other than the quill conventionally utilized with a top
drive. For example, the quill position may refer to the rotational
orientation of a rotary table or other surface-residing component
utilized to impart rotational motion or force to the drill string. In
addition, although the present disclosure may sometimes refer to a
display integrating quill position and toolface orientation, such
reference is intended to further include reference to a display
integrating drill string position or orientation at the surface with the
downhole toolface orientation.

[0034]The entire contents of each of these references is hereby
incorporated herein by express reference thereto. The HMI 100 may also be
implemented as a series of instructions recorded on a computer-readable
medium, such as described in one or more of these references.

[0035]The HMI 100 is used by the directional driller while drilling to
monitor the bottom hole assembly (BHA) in three-dimensional space. The
control system or computer which drives one or more other human-machine
interfaces during drilling operation may be configured to also display
the HMI 100. Alternatively, the HMI 100 may be driven or displayed by a
separate control system or computer, and may be displayed on a computer
display (monitor) other than that on which the remaining drilling
operation screens are displayed.

[0036]The control system or computer driving the HMI 100 includes a
"survey" or other data channel, or otherwise includes an apparatus
adapted to receive and/or read sensor data relayed from the BHA, a
measurement-while-drilling (MWD) assembly, and/or other drilling
parameter measurement means, where such relay may be via the Wellsite
Information Transfer Standard (WITS), WITS Markup Langauge (WITSML),
and/or another data transfer protocol. Such electronic data may include
gravity-based toolface orientation data, magnetic-based toolface
orientation data, MWD azimuth orientation data, and/or MWD inclination
orientation data, among others. In an exemplary embodiment, the
electronic data includes magnetic-based toolface orientation data when
the toolface orientation is less than about 7° relative to
vertical, and alternatively includes gravity-based toolface orientation
data when the toolface orientation is greater than about 7°
relative to vertical. In other embodiments, however, the electronic data
may include both gravity- and magnetic-based toolface orientation data.
The MWD azimuth orientation data may relate the azimuth direction of the
remote end of the drill string relative to magnetic North and/or another
predetermined orientation. The MWD inclination orientation data may
relate the inclination of the remote end of the drill string relative to
vertical.

[0037]As shown in FIG. 1, the HMI 100 may be depicted as substantially
resembling a dial or target shape having a plurality of concentric nested
rings 105. The magnetic-based toolface orientation data is represented in
the HMI 100 by symbols 110, and the gravity-based toolface orientation
data is represented by symbols 115. The HMI 100 also includes symbols 120
representing the quill position. In the exemplary embodiment shown in
FIG. 1, the magnetic toolface data symbols 110 are circular, the gravity
toolface data symbols 115 are rectangular, and the quill position data
symbols 120 are triangular, thus distinguishing the different types of
data from each other. Of course, other shapes or visualization tools may
be utilized within the scope of the present disclosure. The symbols 110,
115, 120 may also or alternatively be distinguished from one another via
color, size, flashing, flashing rate, and/or other graphic means.

[0038]The symbols 110, 115, 120 may indicate only the most recent toolface
(110, 115) and quill position (120) measurements. However, as in the
exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the HMI 100 may include a
historical representation of the toolface and quill position
measurements, such that the most recent measurement and a plurality of
immediately prior measurements are displayed. Thus, for example, each
ring 105 in the HMI 100 may represent a measurement iteration or count,
or a predetermined time interval, or otherwise indicate the historical
relation between the most recent measurement(s) and prior measurement(s).
In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, there are five such rings
105 in the dial (the outermost ring being reserved for other data
indicia), with each ring 105 representing a data measurement or relay
iteration or count. The toolface symbols 110, 115 may each include a
number indicating the relative age of each measurement. In other
embodiments, color, shape, and/or other indicia may graphically depict
the relative age of measurement. Although not depicted as such in FIG. 1,
this concept may also be employed to historically depict the quill
position data.

[0039]The HMI 100 may also include a data legend 125 linking the shapes,
colors, and/or other parameters of the data symbols 110, 115, 120 to the
corresponding data represented by the symbols. The HMI 100 may also
include a textual and/or other type of indicator 130 of the current
toolface mode setting. For example, the toolface mode may be set to
display only gravitational toolface data, only magnetic toolface data, or
a combination thereof (perhaps based on the current toolface and/or drill
string end inclination). The indicator 130 may also indicate the current
system time. The indicator 130 may also identify a secondary channel or
parameter being monitored or otherwise displayed by the HMI 100. For
example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the indicator 130
indicates that a combination ("Combo") toolface mode is currently
selected by the user, that the bit depth is being monitored on the
secondary channel, and that the current system time is 13:09:04.

[0040]The HMI 100 may also include a textual and/or other type of
indicator 135 displaying the current or most recent toolface orientation.
The indicator 135 may also display the current toolface measurement mode
(e.g., gravitational vs. magnetic). The indicator 135 may also display
the time at which the most recent toolface measurement was performed or
received, as well as the value of any parameter being monitored by a
second channel at that time. For example, in the exemplary embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, the most recent toolface measurement was measured by a
gravitational toolface sensor, which indicated that the toolface
orientation was -75°, and this measurement was taken at time
13:00:13 relative to the system clock, at which time the bit-depth was
most recently measured to be 1830 feet.

[0041]The HMI 100 may also include a textual and/or other type of
indicator 140 displaying the current or most recent inclination of the
remote end of the drill string. The indicator 140 may also display the
time at which the most recent inclination measurement was performed or
received, as well as the value of any parameter being monitored by a
second channel at that time. For example, in the exemplary embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, the most recent drill string end inclination was
8°, and this measurement was taken at time 13:00:04 relative to
the system clock, at which time the bit-depth was most recently measured
to be 1830 feet. The HMI 100 may also include an additional graphical or
other type of indicator 140a displaying the current or most recent
inclination. Thus, for example, the HMI 100 may depict the current or
most recent inclination with both a textual indicator (e.g., indicator
140) and a graphical indicator (e.g., indicator 140a). In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, the graphical inclination indicator 140a represents the
current or most recent inclination as an arcuate bar, where the length of
the bar indicates the degree to which the inclination varies from
vertical.

[0042]The HMI 100 may also include a textual and/or other type of
indicator 145 displaying the current or most recent azimuth orientation
of the remote end of the drill string. The indicator 145 may also display
the time at which the most recent azimuth measurement was performed or
received, as well as the value of any parameter being monitored by a
second channel at that time. For example, in the exemplary embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, the most recent drill string end azimuth was 67°,
and this measurement was taken at time 12:59:55 relative to the system
clock, at which time the bit-depth was most recently measured to be 1830
feet. The HMI 100 may also include an additional graphical or other type
of indicator 145a displaying the current or most recent azimuth. Thus,
for example, the HMI 100 may depict the current or most recent azimuth
with both a textual indicator (e.g., indicator 145) and a graphical
indicator (e.g., indicator 145a). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the
graphical azimuth indicator 145a represents the current or most recent
azimuth measurement as an arcuate bar, where the length of the bar
indicates the degree to which the azimuth orientation varies from true
North or some other predetermined position.

[0043]Referring to FIG. 2, illustrated is a magnified view of a portion of
the HMI 100 shown in FIG. 1. In embodiments in which the HMI 100 is
depicted as a dial or target shape, the most recent toolface and quill
position measurements may be closest to the edge of the dial, such that
older readings may step toward the middle of the dial. For example, in
the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the last reading was 8 minutes
before the currently-depicted system time, the next reading was also
received in the 8th minute before the currently-depicted system
time, and the oldest reading was received in the 9th minute before
the currently-depicted system time. Readings that are hours or seconds
old may indicate the length/unit of time with an "h" for hours or a
format such as ":25" for twenty five seconds before the
currently-depicted system time.

[0044]As also shown in FIG. 2, positioning the user's mouse pointer or
other graphical user-input means over one of the toolface or quill
position symbols 110, 115, 120 may show the symbol's timestamp, as well
as the secondary indicator (if any), in a pop-up window 150. Timestamps
may be dependent upon the device settings at the actual time of recording
the measurement. The toolface symbols 110, 115 may show the time elapsed
from when the measurement is recorded by the sensing device (e.g.,
relative to the current system time). Secondary channels set to display a
timestamp may show a timestamp according to the device recording the
measurement.

[0045]In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the HMI 100 shows the
absolute quill position referenced to some predetermined orientation. The
HMI 100 also shows current and historical toolface data received from the
downhole tools (e.g., MWD). The HMI 100, other human-machine interfaces
within the scope of the present disclosure, and/or other tools within the
scope of the present disclosure may have, enable, and/or exhibit a
simplified understanding of the effect of reactive torque on toolface
measurements, by accurately monitoring and simultaneously displaying both
toolface and quill position measurements to the user.

[0046]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system including the display and a
cooperating directional driller and computer. The directional driller
includes a top drive that may include a quill and includes a BHA with a
bit and a steerable motor with toolface. A drill string is disposed
between the BHA and the top drive. The directional driller is in
communication with a computer having a memory and processor and data
representing the quill position and the toolface orientation is
communicated from the directional driller on an ongoing basis to the
computer. The computer processes the data in displays data on the display
in the manner discussed herein.

[0047]In view of the above, the Figures, and the references incorporated
herein, those of ordinary skill in the art should readily understand that
the present disclosure introduces a method of visibly demonstrating a
relationship between toolface orientation and quill position, such method
including: (1) receiving electronic data on an on-going basis, wherein
the electronic data includes quill position data and at least one of
gravity-based toolface orientation data and magnetic-based toolface
orientation data; and (2) displaying the electronic data on a
user-viewable display in a historical format depicting data resulting
from a most recent measurement and a plurality of immediately prior
measurements. The electronic data may further include azimuth data,
relating the azimuth orientation of the drill string adjacent the bit.
The distance between the bit and the sensor(s) gathering the electronic
data is preferably as small as possible while still obtaining at least
sufficiently, or entirely, accurate readings, and the minimum distance
necessary will be well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.
The electronic data may further include inclination data, relating the
inclination of the drill string adjacent the bit. The quill position data
may relate the orientation of the quill, top drive, Kelly, and/or other
rotary drive apparatus to the toolface. The electronic data may be
received from MWD and/or other downhole sensor/measurement equipment.

[0048]The method may further include associating the electronic data with
time indicia based on specific times at which measurements yielding the
electronic data were performed. In an exemplary embodiment, the most
current data may be displayed textually and older data may be displayed
graphically, such as a preferably dial- or target-shaped representation.
In other embodiments, different graphical shapes can be used, such as
oval, square, triangle, or rectangle, or shapes that are substantially
similar but with visual differences, e.g., rounded corners, wavy lines,
or the like. Nesting of the different information is preferred. The
graphical display may include time-dependent or time-specific symbols or
other icons, which may each be user-accessible to temporarily display
data associated with that time (e.g., pop-up data). The icons may have a
number, text, color, or other indication of age relative to other icons.
The icons may preferably be oriented by time, newest at the dial edge,
oldest at the dial center. In an alternative embodiment, the icons may be
oriented in the opposite fashion, with the oldest at the dial edge and
the newer information towards the dial center. The icons may depict the
change in time from (1) the measurement being recorded by a corresponding
sensor device to (2) the current computer system time. The display may
also depict the current system time.

[0049]The present disclosure also introduces an apparatus including: (1)
apparatus adapted to receive electronic data on a recurring, or ongoing,
basis, wherein the electronic data includes quill position data and at
least one of gravity-based toolface orientation data and magnetic-based
toolface orientation data; and (2) apparatus to display the electronic
data on a user-viewable display in a historical format depicting data
resulting from a most recent measurement and a plurality of immediately
prior measurements.

[0050]Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure may offer
certain advantages over the prior art. For example, when toolface and
quill position data are combined on a single visual display, it may help
an operator or other human personnel to understand the relationship
between toolface and quill position. Combining toolface and quill
position data on a single display may also or alternatively aid
understanding of the relationship that reactive torque has with toolface
and/or quill position. These advantages may be recognized during vertical
drilling, horizontal drilling, directional drilling, and/or correction
runs.

[0051]The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those
of ordinary skill in the art may better understand the aspects of the
present disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate
that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing
or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same
purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments
introduced herein. Those of ordinary skill in the art should also realize
that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and
scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes,
substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present disclosure.